THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609130245
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 93 lines
Parents of school-aged children might be interested to know that there is an easy way to guarantee that their children get the very best education possible.
It takes less than five minutes, costs less than $5, and benefits every single child in the school.
What is is? Membership in the Parent-Teacher Association.
The National PTA, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this February, sets the broad guidelines and lays down operational procedures for local units.
The local units function according to the needs of the school and the level of parental involvement. This allows projects and activities to change as desired or as necessary; it also ensures that everyone can be of some help in some way. You choose your level of involvement - as a committee chairperson or baking brownies for the bake sale.
PTAs support schools in a variety of ways. At Mount Zion Elementary, we pay for many of the ``extras'' not provided by the school or the school system. We sponsor community service and informational programs, such as our bike safety rodeo and seminar on budgeting for the holidays.
We have a volunteer committee for those able to help out during school hours. Our goal is to be as helpful and involved as we can, because we know that it benefits our children.
Chances are your local PTA does more than you may know. If you're not sure what the PTA at your child's school does, check it out! If you don't like what the PTA is doing, work to change it!
Remember, if you're not part of the solution, you may be part of the problem.
Barbara Adkins
President
Mount Zion Elementary PTA Congestion? For sure Progress? Wait and see
Hurricane Fran gave Suffolk a pretty good lick. But, by the grace of God, we were spared the full blast.
Suffolk is brain dead when it comes to the welfare of some of its citizens. When the weather reports became alarming, we called the Red Cross office to find out about shelters. We were told that no word had been received.
We live in a rural area, 10 miles from downtown Suffolk, on the south side. We are senior citizens. A mile from our mobile home are a church and a solidly built community house. I believe that Holland, Whaleyville, Cypress Chapel and other rural areas have churches and community houses. Some have school buildings.
Why not utilize these buildings and open them as shelters when needed for the people in the community and for others who may choose to use them?
It seems to me it would reduce the risk of traveling extra miles to shelters that may be slow in opening. Give it some thought, Suffolk.
Also, I have complained before about the problems elderly and handicapped have in getting in and out through double, manually operated doors that 99 percent of the business places in Suffolk seem to have. I also voiced my opinions about trees being too close to buildings and power lines, particularly in the cities.
As the new courthouse, Suffolk's latest folly, is being built (I refer to the location, not the building), why not mention to Washington the great need for a larger post office that would stop the back-up of cars on Suffolk's busiest street?
I would also like to remind the fast food industry that North Main Street has enough fast food places. We could use a few south of downtown. We need a Kmart out here, and an additional food market would be an asset.
I am curious. Why was Thomas Waller, former development director, fired, and why did he decide that now was a good time to depart from the Suffolk city government?
I have lived in Suffolk a long time, and what I see is more congestion rather than progression.
Clarence L. Jones
White Marsh Road
Suffolk SYAA gives city youths dream of championship
Congratulations to the Suffolk Youth Athletic Association's Palomino Baseball Team for winning the World Series last month!
Most of this team have played together at SYAA for 10 years. I also want to thank Judge Robert Gillette for starting SYAA and for providing the opportunity for the youth of Suffolk to be the champions.
Some associations rely on their cities to provide the fields and grounds crews and to pay their umpires. All the work of volunteers over the years has helped make SYAA what it is today. Thanks to each and every one who has spent volunteer time.
Thanks to all of the coaches, umpires, ground crews, scorekeepers, concession workers and, most of all, Judge Gillette. You have given every youth, just starting at SYAA, a dream and hope that they, too, one day can make it to the World Series and become a champion.
Niecie Garner
Reid's Ferry Road
Suffolk by CNB